Self-Employed Record Collection Checklist

What the checklist covers

You get a structured checklist of the records typically needed to prepare self-employed accounts and complete your tax return, including:

• Sales invoices and income summaries (including platform and marketplace reports)
• Purchase receipts and supplier invoices
• Business bank statements and credit card statements
• Cash sales records and petty cash notes (if used)
• Mileage logs and travel evidence (where relevant)
• Home working and other mixed-use expense support
• Asset purchases (equipment, tools, computers) and finance agreements
• VAT records (if registered), including VAT returns and workings
• CIS statements (if you work under CIS)
• Previous year figures and HMRC correspondence, where needed

Who this is for

This is ideal if you are a sole trader, freelancer or contractor who wants a simple way to gather the right records without guessing. It is especially useful if you have multiple income sources, use several bank accounts, or have not kept tidy records during the year.

How it works

You receive the checklist with straightforward guidance on what to include and what format is acceptable. You then use it to pull together your records and submit them in one organised pack, with clear notes where anything is missing or unclear.

What happens after you have collected everything

Once your records are complete, your accounts can be prepared with fewer follow-up questions and fewer delays. You will also have a repeatable process to use each month or quarter, so year-end does not become a last-minute scramble.